Prestigious Ojai Studio Artists Tour, October 11-13

August 28, 2014 -

The 31st annual self-guided Ojai Studio Artists Tour, one of the premier art events in California, is set for Columbus Day weekend, October 11-13. This is the first three-day event in the Tours history. Fifty artists studios throughout the breathtaking Ojai Valley will be open each day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event begins at the Ojai Center for the Arts, 113 S. Montgomery, Ojai, CA.

The 2014 Tour features the work of six new OSA artists. This year, artist demonstrations will also be a feature at several studios, with the Demonstration Schedule posted in advance on the OSA website and distributed to participants on Tour days. The Ojai Studio Artists Tour has a rich legacy from the early days that included the celebrated Beatrice Wood, Horace Bristol and Otto and Vivica Heino, to todays membership of distinguished, award-winning artists, each juried in by their peers. For locals and early arrivals, theres a special Pre-Tour program at 7 p.m. on Friday, October 10. Led by OSA artist Karen Lewis and designed to help people plan their personal Tour schedules, the program provides an introduction to the lives and work of each of the fifty participating Tour artists.

A single Tour ticket covers studio visits all three days and admission to Saturdays dessert reception and live music event, open (free) to all Tour artists and ticket-holders. The event also features a raffle of beautiful artist-made Art Baskets filled with original art and fine local products, such as Ojai honey, olive oil and lavender.

Advance Tour tickets are $25 adults; $15 for youth 16 and older; youth 15 and under are free. Tickets bought on Tour days are $30 adult; $15 youth. Tickets and Tour brochures are available at ojaistudioartists.org.

Proceeds from the Tour and Art Basket raffle fund OSAs Artreach Program: the youth art scholarships OSA awards each Spring; and funding community needs such as art books for the Library and capital improvements for the Ojai Center for the Arts. To date, OSA Artreach funding totals almost $150,000, making the OSA Tour the tour with a higher purpose.

Ojai Studio Artists mission is to create an environment where artists thriveprofessional and student alikeand fulfill the potential of the arts to enrich lives and build community.

The Ojai Studio Artists (OSA) are an approved 501 (c) 3 nonprofit. For more information: ojaistudioartists.org or (805) 646-9892.

About Ojai Studio ArtistsTwenty-nine years ago, three nationally recognized Ojai artists, Bert Collins, Marta Nelson, and Gayel Childress, were inspired to invite art lovers and collectors into the studios of Ojai's many fine artists, sharing a weekend in celebration of art and creativity. The first year, 24 artists opened their studios and 20 more held a joint exhibition at the Ojai Art Center. From this core group, the Ojai Studio Artists group formed.

OSA today has doubled in size from its beginnings  each new member juried in only after demonstrating the highest standards of professional excellence and achievement. Since then, the prestige of OSA's annual tour has grown. The second weekend in October has become a premier art experience as thousands tour the studios of the renowned Ojai Studio Artists, traveling at their own pace and visiting with Ojai's finest artists. For visitors, it's a unique opportunity to meet artists, develop relationships and expand collections.